Posts Tagged ‘resume cufflinks’

Get to Know the People in the Company. Know their names, occupations, and contributions to the company. Is the CEO from Montreal? Did your prospective superviser go to Stanford? Did he/she raise the company profit over a period of time or introduce a new company standard? The point is to make it seem like you’ve done your homework on the individuals who have contributed to the company. It will give you a one up over the rest if you know that the woman who is interviewing you likes to go water skiing every summer and secretly enjoys a particular author. Don’t stalk the people, just do some quick online research to see what their backgrounds are like. This will also help you prepare for the interview by getting yourself familiar with the personalities of the company.

Be selective about what you wear. I know, you’ve heard this a million times, but think about the company itself—is it more laid back than formal? Is it high-end or trendy? Does it have to do with fashion or finance? Little touches on your ensemble can make a big difference, be it financial cufflinks or an Oil Derrick Cufflink set.If the company is relaxed and fashion forward make sure you don’t come in wearing a sodden boring brown suit.

Be assertive, friendly, and smile, but not too much. Don’t seem too eager but have ready responses for why you really do want this particular position. Draw on life experiences: if it’s a sales job what’s the highest record you’ve set? Highest profit margin? Why do you like working with the public? Why do you like desk work? Do you have a high concentration level and are detail oriented? Give examples as to how you are this way i.e. SPECIFICS. “I know this may sound off, but I really enjoy crunching numbers and working with figures.” “I can’t seem myself working outside a group setting. My strategy is to use each individual team members’ strength to the projective advantage, thereby increasing the productivity.”

Work on your nerves, don’t drink to much coffee beforehand. Don’t spray too much cologne or perfume. Have your resume on hand. And another resume on hand, just in case. Memorize your resume. You don’t want to be confused if your prospective employer asks you about something on it that you looked or seem surprised about.

Have at least one “bad” quality about yourself, but don’t make it too bad. For instance, when/if you’re asked if you have any flaws, answer honestly, but not too honestly. Turn it into a positive. “Because I’m so detailed oriented, I can get particular about certain things, like when lines aren’t straight on documents or when words are misspelled.” “I have a problem when people are disrespectful or uncouth. There’s no reason to be rude, ever.” “I tend to stick up for the underdog.” Or jokingly recite some flaws: “I tend to spend too much on Starbucks coffee.” “My wife says I lack certain table manners, but I think I’m just fine.” Or “I never use my signal when turning. And rarely change my windsheild wipers.” These take the pressure off the interview and bring out your human qualities, which are just as important as your work capacity.